Diamond made a big splash when it introduced the Katana DA20-A1, the first new purpose-built training aircraft in decades. Then, it introduced the improved C1 model powered by an injected TCM IO-240 engine in place of the A1's carburated Rotax. As Paul Bertorelli reported in Aviation Consumer , the C1 climbs better, goes faster, and costs only trivially more. More

The loss of more than 200 G.A. aircraft at Florida airports from high winds in February, 1998, prompted Kennon Aircraft Covers to bring its newest aircraft protection product to market. "Kennon Wind Spoilers" consist of a row of soft fiber-filled spoilers sewn onto a strip of mesh that attaches to the wing with straps and quick-release fasteners. They stop the wing from generating lift in high winds, and help prevent the kind of tie-down breakage and aircraft upsets that took such an awful toll at Opa-Locka and North Perry. The new Wind Spoilers are similar to Kennon's classic Spoiler Mesh Wing Covers but with three big differences: they're less bulky, quicker to install and remove, and cost just $89 (compared with $295 for full covers). AVweb recently talked to Kennon's Ron Kensey about this new low-cost wind protection. More

There has long been a raging debate about which is the best way to protect the windows and interior of an unhangared aircraft: exterior aircraft covers or internal sun shields. We decided to ask a real expert — Ron Kensey of Kennon Aircraft Covers in Sheridan, Wyoming — whose company makes both. More

What can an owner do to get the longest life from a cabin cover? Keep it clean, says aircraft cover guru Ron Kensey of Kennon Aircraft Covers, and repair any damage right away. In this AVweb interview, Kensey explains the ins and outs of aircraft cover maintenance, and talks about the new, low-cost aircraft cover cleaning and repair service that is now being operated at — of all places — the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Sheridan, Wyoming. For the modest price of $50 to $75, they'll clean, repair, and re-waterproof any make of fabric aircraft cabin cover (not just Kennon). More

Starting your piston engine in cold weather without a thorough pre-heat can damage it severely and drastically shorten its TBO. And according to cold-weather expert Ron Kensey of Kennon Aircraft Covers in brisk Sheridan, Wyoming, the key to an effective pre-heat is a quality engine cover. More

We asked aircraft cover guru Ron Kensey of Kennon Aircraft Covers in Sheridan, Wyoming, why on earth his wing and tail covers are made of mesh instead of tightly-woven nylon, and what those funny bumps on the top are there for. Ron showed us some interesting photos and gave us a real education in aircraft cover design. More

Question of the Week

Picture of the Week

Ted Runciman of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire (England) enlists the Turkish Air Force in our latest "Picture of the Week." Click through to read more about the top photos and see other stunning shots from AVweb readers.